DAMASCUS, Syria — Wael, 12, left his house in the city center of Damascus at 7 a.m. Dec. 19 on his bike and headed to the suburb of Dummar, 10 kilometers (3.7 miles) west of Damascus, braving the cold and the challenging road to participate in the charity marathon called "Badna Nerkod La Basma” (We Want to Run for Basma). The marathon was organized in an effort to support children suffering from cancer and to raise funds for the BASMA Association, which looks after cancer patients.
Wael, along with 2,000 others from all age groups, assembled at the starting line in front of Rusty Restaurant, which helped organize the first marathon of its kind in cooperation with several civil organizations and associations in Damascus. Because of the Syrian war BASMA Association is no longer able to provide enough care for all children suffering from cancer due to the lack of material resources and medicine, and the absence of governmental support. The marathon’s aim was to collect donations.
